Suspect charged in fatal hit-and-run
UPDATE 4, SEPT. 2, 2026:
A grand jury indicted a Clay County resident with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a man on April 13, 2026.
Deputies took 35-year-old Matthew R. Lavigne into custody yesterday. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
He is accused of striking and killing 37-year-old pedestrian Steven Notari on Petty Road with his vehicle and leaving the scene. Lavigne denied knowing that he struck a person.
In addition to conducting interviews, Sheriff's Office investigators gathered evidence including vehicle parts at the scene, the victim’s blood on the suspect’s vehicle, license plate reader camera photos, cell phone data, and footage from business surveillance cameras. They and the Prosecutor's Office presented this evidence to a Clay County grand jury, which determined Lavigne should be charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
UPDATE 3, APRIL 15, 2026:
The victim in this case is 37-year-old Steven C. Notari of Wisconsin.
UPDATE 2, APRIL 14, 2026:
We have a person of interest in custody. Investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE, APRIL 13, 2026:
Based on evidence recovered at the scene, we believe the suspect vehicle is a 2013-18 Ford Focus.
ORIGINAL, APRIL 13, 2026:
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal hit-and-run of a pedestrian.
At 7:10 a.m. today, April 13, a semitruck driver on Interstate 35 reported seeing someone lying on the adjacent Edgar Petty Road, just north of NE 116th Street. Deputies arrived four minutes later and found a deceased man on the road. It appeared an unknown vehicle struck him and left the area.
Deputies shut Edgar Petty Road down for several hours so investigators could gather evidence. The Platte County Sheriff’s Office assisted with surveying the crash scene.
Detectives are working to identify the man, and when that is done, they will notify his next of kin. His name will be released after that is complete.
The vehicle involved in the crash likely has fresh damage. If anyone has any information in this case, please call the Clay County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit at 816-407-3728 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
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